Something Blue

A while back I posted a review of Emily Giffin’s Something Borrowed. (Laura's Book Nook: Something Borrowed) It still holds up as one of my all time favourite books and I definitely love the sequel Something Blue just as much.

Just to recap, Something Borrowed tells the story of a young woman named Rachel as she goes through a secret affair with her best friend, Darcy’s, fiancé. The realistic narrative of this novel made it relatable to me, even though I have never been (and never would want to be) in a similar situation to Rachel. It may sound silly, but I’m sure that all readers will find themselves rooting for Rachel. If you’re a chick lit lover and have somehow managed to avoid this book up until now, do yourself a favour and check it out.

Giffin’s follow up, Something Blue, takes a different approach by showcasing the affair’s aftermath from Darcy’s point of view.  This is interesting because throughout Something Borrowed readers tend to dislike Darcy because of her bossy and manipulative personality. Giffin's decision to have Darcy as the focal point of a sequel whose predecessor was based around a very likable narrator could have been seen as a risky decision. I questioned the decision initially because I assumed Something Blue would not have the same relatable and fun aspects that I loved so much about Something Borrowed.

I was wrong. Readers (just like me) who loved Something Borrowed will find very similar themes and qualities in its sequel. Although Darcy continues to come across as spoiled and controlling you get to see a lot more depth to her character in this book (and rightfully so since she is the narrator this time around). I was able to sympathize with her in this book – something I was unable to do throughout Something Borrowed – and I really got a feel for what she was going through.

After finding out about Dex (Darcy’s fiancé) and Rachel’s affair, Darcy flees to London where she quickly learns that she can no longer get by on her charm and good looks alone. Something Blue showcases Darcy’s journey towards self-discovery, understanding and true love.

This book does a wonderful job of wrapping up an already fantastic story. It shows that there are always two sides to every story and that friendships and romantic relationships are not always as cookie cutter basic as other chick lit novels often make them out to be.  Something Borrowed is Rachel’s story and Something Blue is Darcy’s. They are two very different characters with two very different stories – each equally as fast passed and entertaining. 

I cannot say enough about how absolutely fantastic this two book series is. It’s fun and quirky with characters that feel like your best friends.

There is still no official word if Something Blue will be getting a movie adaptation to follow in the footsteps of 2011’s Something Borrowed Staring Gennifer Goodwin and Kate Hudson. I'd love to see it happen. 

Buy Something Borrowed: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312321198/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687782&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0312323859&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1EQ0KA264STZ2CZ80XVS

Buy Something Blue: http://www.amazon.com/Something-Blue-Emily-Giffin/dp/0312323867/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y

Happy Reading! 

Something Borrowed

To start my blog, I want to talk about a book that I really love, Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin. This is not only my favourite chick lit novel; it’s also one of my all time favourite books from any genre. It’s Giffin’s first novel, and is a New York Times bestseller.

My cousin recommended this book for me, and I have to admit that I wasn’t very excited to read it at first. I trusted my cousin’s judgement, but when I read the book’s synopsis and found out that the plot revolved around the main character, Rachel, having an affair with her best friend’s fiancé, I really didn’t think that I was going to like it at all. I took my cousin’s suggestion to heart, but really had no intention of reading this book.

About a week or so later, I was at my local bookstore – which is one of my favourite places to go. Seriously, I’m a huge nerd. I can literally spend hours and hours just browsing around bookstores.

Anyway, I was at the bookstore and I came across Something Borrowed, and I noticed that there was a review on the cover from Lauren Weinberger, who is one of my favourite chick lit authors and is most well known for writing The Devil Wears Prada. She said, “You don’t have to lust after your best friend’s boyfriend to worship this book … Here’s a heroine you’ll root for and a book you won’t want to put down.”

I finally decided to give it a try, and I am so glad I did.

The thing that surprised me most about this book was that even though the main character Rachel was a great big cheater, I didn’t hate her. In fact, I kind of loved her right from the start. She was probably one of the most likable and real characters that I’d read about in a chick lit book in a long time. She seemed like a normal, smart girl, someone whom I would want to hang out with – but I guess I would probably want to keep my fiancé away from her.

Oddly enough, It was Rachel’s best friend Darcy (the same friend whose fiancé she was cheating with) whom I didn’t like. She was an annoying, spoiled girl with a seemingly over-perfect life. She irritated me so badly – but that could be because the story was written from Rachel’s perspective.

I wanted to hate Rachel, I really did, but I just couldn’t. I’m sure that anyone who reads this book will feel the same way. You’ll find yourself rooting for Rachel until the end.

I won’t give anything away from the plot because I want anyone who’s interested to go out and read this book. It is chick lit at its finest, very realistic and totally believable.

There is also a sequel called Something Blue, which is also great. It’s told from Darcy’s perspective, and it gave me a bit more sympathy for her. If you read Something Borrowed and like it, I would highly recommend reading part two. It’s equally as fun and quirky.

Also, look out for the movie version of this book that’s set to hit theatres May 6, 2011. It stars Kate Hudson, Ginnifer Goodwin, John Krasinski and Steve Howey.

Happy Reading.